A long overdue weekend break! Where else?….

It has been a while since the major and I have had a vacation out of the city.  So when a friend offered a free stay at the mother of all country clubs in the country, the infamous Baguio Country Club - I grabbed the opportunity. Was also able to borrow my dad's Toyota Innova (ostensibly to verify the claimed fuel consumption) to use for the rather long road trip. Armed with a stack of CDs (and backup iPod), golf clubs and a last minute review of blogs from the city of pines, off we went.  Initially due to some schedule problems I was trying to beg off from using the coupons, but on hindsight. glad we decided to push through.

The drive through the NLEX (North Luzon Expressway) was fantastic and disappointingly short-lived. The asphalt was smooth, lanes were lit and despite the light rain I managed to get the sluggish Innova to release some of that turbo-charged horsepower and cruised at almost 180+ kph. Too fast as per my navigator! Now, this is how ALL highways in the country should be benchmarked.

We were in SLEX by 3PM and 6 hours later at the top of Kennon Road. (am sure we could have made it faster but the stop at the bank in Manila and a few pee stops, made 6 hours quite reasonable!) I always love taking Kennon whether during the day or otherwise. I find it actually safer to use than Marcos Highway. And certainly much faster. I guess its a matter of preference and what one is used to. In fact that night, we were a convoy of around 7-8 cars, and it was just me that continued on towards Kennon from the Rosario junction. After a few minutes of self-doubt and only when a jeepney came down that I knew it was passable. Somehow, I missed the sign at the Shell gas station that provides the alerts for motorists taking this route. I do find it easier to drive up to Baguio using this route.  Soon I saw the old Jade Garden hotel on my left, (and that monstrosity of progress, they're building in front of the Baguio Gen. Hospital) looking for the turn-off towards Camp John Hay. Which is my landmark to BCC.

Despite the late arrival, check-in at BCC's front desk was smooth and event free. Bumped into a classmate who was also checking in with her husband. I did notice though that the guards were extra judicious in their check at the gate. Being guests, we had to show our letter (from the member) before being allowed through. Since the dinner buffet was to close in a few minutes, we decided to eat out. The regular eating haunts that we use after our Pulag treks were all closing and we ended up at a steak place near Dencio's. Driving back into the city was too much, although perhaps we should have. As Doreen Fernandez used to say when reviewing restos for her column,  " don't say anything, if you have nothing good to say." So that ends my review of THAT steak place.

The days were just gloriously sunny and the view from our floor was fantastic. (see top photo). But immediately after lunch the clouds seem to let loose with their moisture and it poured till early evening. We were able to drive around as the major wanted to "see" the old places she used to visit. Mansion House, Mines view, Wright Park, Teacher's camp, Good Shepherd store and a few other spots. The drive to the market through Session Road was horribly similar to Manila. Traffic was bad and the local drivers seemed to have lost the "courtesy" that Manila drivers had lost centuries ago! It was nice to note that some old places were still around. Rumors, Star cafe and Henrico's.    

 Aside from the scrumptious breakfast and dinner buffet's at BCC, we ate at two other restos' as recommended by some bloggers. Chocolate de Batirol inside Camp John Hay (near the mini golf) and lunch before we left for Manila at Cafe by the Ruins. Here are some pictures. And No, we did not try the datura on this trip.

The ride down was uneventful. It took us only 5 hours to make Manila. The view of the falls on the way down along Kennon was scenic as usual.

Oh, and the Innova's fuel consumption? One full tank for 625kms! That's pretty cool. between 12 and 14 km/liter!

And we discovered that Tarlac had the cheapest diesel prices from here to Baguio! 31.90 per liter.